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V 


JUL  29  1915 
MINUTES 


THIRD   A  \N  UA  L    M  E  ET  I  ISTG 


General  Conference 


CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCHES 


CONNECTICUT, 


II  ELD   IN    N  1-:\V    LoN  DON, 


ZNTott.    1-3.    1870. 


II  A  RTF  OH  I): 
CASE,    LOCKWOOD    &     BRAINARD. 

187*0. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


OFFICERS 


Moderator. 
Prof.  CYRUS  NORTHROP,  New  Haven. 

Scribe. 
Bev.  MYRON  N.  MORRIS,  West  Hartford. 

Assistant  Scribes. 

Dea.  Charles  Northend,  New  Britain. 
Henry  M.  Cleaveland,  Brooklyn. 

Standing  Committee. 

liev.  Asa  S.  Fiske,  Rockville. 
Rev.  Constans  L.  Goodell,  New  Britain. 
Rev.  Daniel  Merriman,  Norwich. 
Henry  M.  Cleaveland,  Brooklyn. 
Dea.  Charles  Benedict,  Waterbury. 

Registrar  and  Statistical  Secretary  for  1869-72. 
Rev.  William  H.  Moore,  Berlin. 

Treasurer  for  1868-1871. 
Dea.  Alfred  Walker,  New  Haven. 

Auditor  for  1868-1871. 
Wells  South  worth,  New  Haven. 

Preacher  in  1870. 
Bev.  Constans  L.  Goodell,  New  Britain. 
Collectors  of  Statistics  in  the  Several  Counties. 
Fairfield,         Rev.  Nathan  T.  Merwin,  Trumbull. 
Hartford,  Rev.  Leavitt  H.  Hallock,  Berlin. 

Litchfield,        Rev.  William  E.  Bassett,  Wan-en. 
Middlesex,      Rev.  Silas  W.  Bobbins,  East  Haddam. 
New  Haven,    Rev.  Elijah  C.  Baldwin,  Branford. 
New  London,  Rev.  Samuel  Hopley,  Norwich. 
Tolland,  Rev.  George  A.  Oviatt,  Talcottville. 

Windham,       Rev.  Henry  F.  Hyde,  Fomfret. 


GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 

CONNECTICUT  HOME  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY. 

Directors. 


Rev.  Samuel  G.  Willard,  Colchester. 
Rev.  Nathaniel  J.  Burton,  Hartford. 
Rev.  Salmon  McCall,  Old  Saybrook. 
Rev.  George  A.  Oviatt,  Talcottville. 
Rev.  Constans  L.  Goodell,  N.  Britain. 
Rev.  Joseph  VV.  Backus,  Thomaston. 
Rev.  Homer  N.  Dunning,  S.  Norwalk. 
Rev.  Asa  S.  Fiske,  Rockville. 


Rev.    George    J.    Tillotson,    Central 

Village. 
Rev.  George  L.  Walker,  New  Haven. 
Dea.  William  C.  Crump,  New  London. 
Dea.  John  N.  Stickney,  Rockville. 
Dea.  George  Langdon,  Plymouth. 
Dea.  Philander  Button,  Greenwich. 
Prof.  Cyrus  Northrop,  New  Haven. 


Secretary  and  Auditor. 
Rev.  William  H.  Moore,  Berlin. 

Treasurer. 

Edward  W.  Parsons,  Hartford. 

State  Missionaries. 

Rev.  William  H.  Moore,  Berlin. 
Rev.  Charles  H.  Bullard,  Hartford. 


FUND  FOR  MINISTERS. 

The  Trustees,  Secretary,  Auditor,  and  Treasurer  are  the  persons  who  are  Directors, 
Secretary,  Auditor,  and  Treasurer  of  the  Connecticut  Home  Missionary  Society. 


Annalist  of  the  Churches. 
Rev.  Edward  W.  Gilman,  Stonington. 

COMMITTEES. 

On  state  of  religion — to  report  in  1871,  Rev.  Edward  W.  Oilman,  Stonington, 
Rev.  Theodore  J.  Holmes,  East  Hartford,  and  Rev.  Homer  N.  Dunning,  South 
Norwalk. 

On  systematic  beneficence — to  report  in  1871,  Rev.  Hiram  P.  Arms,  Norwich, 
Rev.  Aaron  C.  Adams, Wethersfield,  Rev.  William  L.  Gage,  Hartford,  Dea.  George 
W.  Shelton,  Birmingham,  and  Dea.  Rowland  Swift,  Hartford. 

On  National  Conference — Rev.  Leonard  Bacon.  New  Haven,  Dea.  William  A. 
Buckingham,  Norwich,  Rev.  Davis  S.  Brainerd,  Old  Lyme,  Rev.  Robert  G. 
Vermilye,  Hartford,  Rev.  Edward  W.  Gilman,  Stonington,  Ralph  D.  Smith, 
Guilford,  Dea.  Calvin  Day,  Hartford.  Substitutes — Rev.  M.  McG.  Dana,  Norwich, 
Rev.  David  Murdoch,  New  Haven,  Dea.  Benjamin  Douglas,  Middletown,  and 
R.  S.  Ferris,  South  Norwalk. 


1870.       GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT. 


A.BSTRACT  OF  MINUTES. 

The  General  Conference  of  the  Congregational 
( 'in  R(  in  -  of  (  Ionnecticd  c  convened  for  it-  third  annual  meeting, 
in  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  New  London,  on  Tuesday, 
Nov.  1.  L870.  A  prayer  meeting  was  beldal  ten  o'clock,  conducted 
by  Rev.  George  A.  Oviatt.  At  eleven  o'clock,  a  sermon  was  preached 
by  Rev.  Con-tan-  L.  Goodell,  '.vim  was  assisted  in  the  devotional  ex- 
ercises by  Rev.  Hiram  P.  Ann-,  from  1  Cor.  2 :  2,  "  For  I  deter- 
mined not  to  know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ,  and  him 
crucified."      A  recess  was  taken  till  half  past  two. 

Tuesday  Afternoon. — At  hall  past  two,  Rev.  Edward  W.  Gilman 
chairman  of  the  Standing  Committee,  called  the  Conference  to  order, 
and  at  his  nomination,  Prof.  Cyrus  Northrop  was  chosen  .Moderator, 
Rev.  Myron  N.Morris,  Scribe,  and  Dea.  Charles  Northern!.  Assistant 
Scrihe. 

The  roll,  when  completed,  contained  the  names  of  ninety-seven 
persons,  including  eighty-nine  delegates  from  thirteen  constituent 
hoilies,  six  members  ex  ollieio.  and  two  honorary  members,  delegates 
from  corresponding  bodies.  All  ministers  of  Christ  present,  and  all 
members  present  of  churches  connected  with  the  constituent  bodies  of 
the  Conference,  were  invited  to  sit  as  honorary  members.  Prayer 
was  offered  by  Rev.  George  L.  Walker. 

Rev.  Robert  (i.  Vermilye,  Rev.  George  M.  Boynton,  and  Dea. 
Philander  Button,  were  chosen  a  nominating  committee,  and  the  fol- 
lowing committees,  named  by  them,  were  appointed  : 

On  the  state  of  religion — Rev.  Messrs.  Homer  N.  Dunning,  Eli- 
jah C.  Baldwin,  Gowen  C.  Wilson. 

On  finance — Dea.  Henry  P.  Haven.  Dea.  Philander  Button,  H.  8. 
Hill,  Dea.  Charles  Northern!,   and  Dea.  William  Hall. 

On  Congregational  relations — Rev.  Messrs.  Edward  W.  Oilman, 
Thomas  P.  Field,  Constans  L.  Goodell,  Oeorge  L.  Walker,  Dea.  Ben- 
jamin W.  Tompkins,  Henry  M.  Cleaveland.  The  subject  of  corre- 
spondence by  delegates  with  other  hoilies,  and  also  a  communication 
from  the  General  Conference  of  Ohio  respecting  a  National  Confer- 
ence, were  referred  to  tin-  last  named  committee. 

It  was  resolved,  That  in  the  discussion  of  theme-  all  speakers,  ex- 
cept those  io  whom  topics  have  been  assigned,  be  limited  to  five 
minutes. 


6  GENERAL   CONFERENCE   OF   CONNECTICUT.  1870. 

The  constitution  was  amended  as  proposed  on  p.  18  of  Minutes  of 
1869,  so  as  to  provide  that  the  Statistical  Secretary  be  elected  by 
ballot  for  three  years ;  and  that  he  and  "  committees  to  report,"  be 
ex-officio  members  of  the  Conference. 

Rev.  Edward  W.  Gilman  was  chosen  Annalist  of  the  Churches,  the 
appointment  to  that  office  having  been  accepted  from  the  General 
Association. 

The  care  of  the  Fund  for  Ministers  was  likewise  accepted  from  the 
General  Association ;  the  same  to  be  managed  by  Trustees,  acting 
under  a  charter  given  in  1867  and  amended  in  1870,  and  in  accord- 
ance with  the  following  rules  : 

1.  No  application  for  assistance  shall  be  granted  unless  it  be 
shown  that  the  clergyman  for  whom,  or  for  whose  widow  or  orphans, 
aid  is  sought,  has  ministered  statedly  to  some  Congregational  church 
in  this  State. 

2.  Aid  shall  be  granted  for  the  civil  year,  and  only  on  a  written 
application  signed  by  at  least  two  members  of  the  District  Associa- 
tion to  which  the  minister  belongs,  or  belonged  at  his  death,  for  whom, 
or  for  whose  widow  or  orphans,  aid  is  sought. 

3.  The  names  of  the  beneficiaries  shall  not  be  published  in  con- 
nection with  the  grants  made  in  their  behalf. 

4.  The  Treasurer  shall  give  bonds  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
duties,  shall  pay  out  money  only  as  ordered  by  the  Trustees,  and 
shall  make  an  annual  report  to  them  ;  and  his  accounts  shall  at  all 
times  be  subject  to  the  examination  of  any  of  the  members  or  officers 
of  the  corporation. 

5.  The  records  of  the  Trustees  shall  be  brought  annually  to  the 
meetings  of  the  General  Conference. 

The  report  of  the  Statistical  Secretary,  recommending  that  the  fol- 
lowing question  be  added  to  the  schedule — "  Through  what  Conso- 
ciation, or  Conference,  is  your  church  represented  in  the  General 
Conference  ?"  was  accepted  and  approved. 

After  a  season  of  devotion  conducted  by  Rev.  Robert  G.  Vermilye, 
in  which  Rev.  Messrs.  Rufus  S.  Underwood,  Thomas  L.  Shipman, 
Henry  B.  Smith,  Edward  W.  Gilman,  Myron  N.  Morris,  and  Dea- 
cons Benjamin  W.  Tompkins,  and  George  W.  Shelton  took  part,  a 
recess  was  taken  till  half  past  seven. 

Tuesday  Evening. — At  halfpast  seven,  the  Conference  re-assembled, 
the  Moderator  read  appropriate  passages  of  Scripture,  a  hymn  was 
sung,  and  Rev.  George  H.   Griffin  offered  prayer. 

The  fifty-fourth  annual  report  of  the    Directors  of  the  Connecticut 


1870.       GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT.         7 

Home  Missionary  Society,  embracing  with  the  topics  usually  pre- 
sented the  report  of  the  second  State  Missionary  to  the  Director-. 
and  the  report,  of  a  committer  appointed  by  the  Directors  to  consider 
the  policy  of  the  Society  in  employing  two  State  Missionaries,  was 
read  in  part  by  the  Secretary,  in  part  by  Rev.  Charles  II.  Bullard, 
and  in  part  by  Rev.  ConstanS  L.  Goodell,  and  wa-  approved  and 
ordered  to  be  printed. 

A  resolution  that  the  Conference  approve  of  the  policy  of  employ- 
ing two  State  Missionaries,  was  discussed  by  Rev.  Messrs.  John 
Avery,  Asa  S.  Fiske,  Orlando  II.  White.  II, mv  11.  Smith,  John 
Churchill.  Leonard  Bacon,  Francis  Williams,  George  J.  Tillotson, 
Henry  B.  Elliot.  Thomas  I..  Shipman,  Edward  AY.  Gilman,  and  Dea- 
cons William  C.  Crump,  and  George  W.  Shelton,  and  adopted  by 
ballot.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Hiram  P.  Arms,  and  the  Con- 
ference adjourned  to  nine  o'clock  of  the  next  morning. 

Wednesday  Morning.  A  prayer  meeting  was  held  at  nine  o'clock, 
conducted  by  Rev.  M.  McG.  Dana.  Deacon  Henry  P.  Haven,  in 
behalf  of  the  committee  of  1869,  on  systematic  beneficence,  presented 
a  report  with  resolutions  which  wasaccepted.  The  subject  was  dis- 
cussed by  Rev.  Messrs.  Gustavus  D.  Pike,  Joseph  Aver,  John  Avery, 
Rufus  S.  Underwood,  William  L.  Gage.   Edward   II.   Pratt,    Henry 

B.  Elliot,  Robert  G.  Vermilye,  William  II.  Moore.  Charles  II.  Bulla: d. 
William  H.  Dean,  Francis  Williams,  Leonard  Bacon,  Orlando  II. 
White,  and  Deacon  George  W.  Shelton;  and  the  resolutions — tin- 
second  one  having  been  amended,  —  were  adopted  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  the  annual  appointment  hy  the 
Conference,  of  a  committee  on  systematic  beneficence,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  present  to  the  body  at  the  annual  meetings,  a  report  of  the 
progress  of  systematic  giving  in  our  churches  ;  and  their  views  as  to 
what  can  be  done  to  increase  the  number  of  those  who  will  adopt  that 
principle. 

Resolved,  That  we  recommend  to  all  the  ministers  and  members  of 
our  churches  to  adopt  immediately  the  principle  of  systematic  benefi- 
cence, and  to  give  in  proportion  as  God  has  prospered  them. 

A  discussion  on  "Methods  of  Promoting  the  Fellowship  of  the 
Churches."  was  opened  by  Rev.  Edward  W.  Gilman  and  continued  by 
Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  G.  Willard,  Leonard  Bacon,  Orlando  H.  White, 
George  H.  Griffin,  Gowen  C.   Wilson,  Edward  T.   Hooker,  Charles 

C.  Beaman,  Deacon  Benjamin  W.  Tompkins,  and  the  Moderator. 
The  hymn,  "  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds."  was  sung,  and  prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Henry  B.  Elliot. 


8  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT.      1870. 

Deacon  William  A.  Buckingham,  in  behalf  of  the  committee  of 
1869,  in  relation  to  the  American  Bible  Society,  presented  a  report 
which  was  accepted  and  approved.  A  recess  was  then  taken  till  half- 
past  two  o'clock. 

Wednesday  Afternoon.  At  half-past  two  o'clock,  the  Conference 
met  in  the  Second  Church,  where  the  remaining  sessions  were  held. 
After  singing  by  the  choir,  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Samuel  G. 
Willard.  Deacon  Northend  being  obliged  to  be  absent,  Henry  M. 
Cleaveland  was  chosen  Assistant  Scribe. 

The  discussion  appropriate  to  the  "Memorial  Year,"  of  "Our 
Heritage  and  our  Work,"  was  opened  by  Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  and 
continued  in  relation  to  the  building  of  the  Congregational  House,  by 
Rev.  Isaac  P.  Langworthy,  Secretary  of  the  American  Congregational 
Association  ;  and  in  relation  to  the  Church  Building  Fund,  by  Rev. 
Christopher  Cushing,  Secretary  of  the  American  Congregational 
Union. 

Rev.  Abijah  P.  Marvin  presented  the  salutations  of  the  General 
Association  of  Massachusetts,  and  Rev.  John  Rogers,  those  of  the 
Congregational  Union  of  Ontario  and  Quebec.  Rev.  Alexander 
King,  of  London,  made  an  address.  To  these  three  speakers  responses 
were  made  by  the  Moderator.     The  following  was  adopted  : 

In  thankfulness  to  God  for  the  fathers,  for  their  polity  in  church 
and  state,  for  the  tradition  to  us  their  children  of  their  heroic  spirit 
and  piety,  we  do  hereby  heartily  commend,  in  general,  to  each  Con- 
gregational church  in  the  State,  the  practical  commemoration  of  this 
memorial  year  by  special  reconsecration  of  their  persons,  services  and 
possessions  to  the  Master ;  and  we  do  specially  commend — 

1.  That  each  church  should  place  the  American  Congregational 
Union,  our  Church  Building  Society,  upon  the  list  of  objects  to  which 
it  will  contribute  every  year  on  or  about  the  twenty-first  of  December, 
beginning  with  December  of  the  present  year;  and 

2.  That  each  church  should  between  this  and  the  first  of  April, 
1871,  make  a  liberal  gift  to  the  Congregational  House  at  Boston,  or 
to  such  other  object  dear  to  the  hearts  of  Congregational  Christians, 
as  its  judgment  shall  approve,  in  the  way  of  an  extraordinary  and 
worthy  memorial  offering. 

The  committee  on  Congregational  relations  reported  the  following 
resolutions,  which  were  adopted  : 

Resolved,  That  we  approve  of  the  formation  of  a  National  Conference 
of  the  Congregational  Churches  of  the  United  States,  and  i*ecommend 
that  it  be  composed  of  delegates  from  the  State  General  Conferences, 
on  a  fair  basis  of  representation. 


1870.        GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT.        9 

Resolved,  That  :i  committee  of  seven  be  appointed  by  this  Confer- 
ence to  co-operate  with  similar  committees  from  other  Slates,  in  any 
preliminary  measures  which  they  deem  desirable  for  the  successful 
initiation  of  such  National  Conference. 

Resolved,  That,  if  it  be  found  best  to  convene  the  proposed  National 
Conference  before  the  time  which  may  be  designated  for  the  next 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference  of  Connecticut,  the  Standing 
Committee  of  this  Conference  may.  at  their  discretion,  appoint 
delegates  to  represent  us   u   such  initiatory  meeting. 

Whereas  the  special  advantages  which  in  times  past  have  been 
secured  by  the  annual  appointment  of  delegates  to  the  General  Asso- 
ciations and  Conferences  of  other  States,  can  now  be  secured  with 
greater  facility  by  other  means. 

Resolved,  That  this  Conference  henceforth  discontinue  the  appoint- 
ment of  such  delegates,  except  on  occasions  when  peculiar  exigencies 
require  it. 

Resolved,  That  the  Registrar  of  this  Conference  be  requested  to 
communicate  our  action  in  respect  to  a  National  Conference,  and  in 
respect  to  corresponding  delegates,  to  the  various  bodies  with  which 
we  are  in  correspondence. 

Committees  for  the  ensuing  year  were  appointed  as  follows : 
Standing  Committee — Rev.  Messrs.  Asa  S.  Fiske,  Constans  L. 
Goodell.  Daniel  Merriman,  Deacon  Charles  Benedict,  Henry  M. 
Cleaveland. 

On  systematic  beneficence — Rev.  Messrs.  Hiram  P.  Arms,  Aaron 
C.  Adams.  William  L.  Gage,  and  Deacons  George  W.  Shelton,  and 
Rowland  Swift. 

On  the  state  of  religion  —  Rev.  Messrs.  Edward  W.  Gilman, 
Theodore  J.  Holmes,  Homer  N.  Dunning. 

It  was  voted.  That  the  Registrars  of  the  local  Conferences  and 
Consociations  be  requested  to  send  the  reports  on  the  state  of  religion 
in  their  respective  bodies  to  the  committee  on  the  state  of  religion. 
After  singing,  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  William  K.  Hall,  and  a 
recess  was  taken  till  half-past  seven. 

Wednesday  Evening.  At  half-past  seven,  the  Conference  united  in 
singing.  The  committee  on  the  state  of  religion  presented  a  report 
which  after  amendment,  was  approved  and  ordered  to  be  printed. 

The  committee  on  finance  presented  a  report  containing  the  follow- 
ing recommendations,  which  were  adopted  : 

1.  That  the  report  of  the  Treasurer,  submitted  by  them,  be  approved 
and  printed. 


10         GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OP  CONNECTICUT.        1870. 

2.  That  the  Treasurer  be  requested  to  invite  all  the  churches  to 
contribute  toward  canceling  our  obligations  and  meeting  our  expenses, 
at  the  rate  of  four  cents  for  each  member. 

A  discussion  on  "  Parochial  Evangelization,"  was  opened  by  Rev. 
Daniel  Merriman,  and  continued  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Asa  S.  Fiske,  John 
Churchill,  Henry  B.  Smith,  M.  McG-.  Dana,  William  H.  Moore, 
Thomas  L.  Shipman,  Sylvester  Hine,  Samuel  G.  Willard,  Charles 
H.  Bullard,  Elijah  C.  Baldwin,  George  Curtiss,  Leonard  Bacon,  and 
Deacons  Philander  Button  and  Benjamin  W.  Tompkins.  In  connec- 
tion with  this  discussion,  a  resolution  instructing  the  Directors  of  the 
Connecticut  Home  Missionary  Society  in  respect  to  the  services  oi 
the  State  Missionaries,  was  introduced,  debated  at  some  length,  and 
indefinitely  postponed. 

The  following  persons  were,  by  ballot,  chosen  Directors  of  the 
Connecticut  Home  Missionary  Society, — Rev.  Leonard  Bacon  having 
previously  requested  to  be  excused  from  further  service  on  the  Board, 
and  the  nominating  committee  having  been  instructed  to  provide 
printed  tickets  containing  five  new  names, — Rev.  Messrs.  Samuel  G. 
Willard,  Nathaniel  J.  Burton,  Salmon  McCall,  George  A.  Oviatt, 
Constans  L.  Goodell,  Joseph  W.  Backus,  Homer  N.  Dunning,  Asa  S. 
Fiske,  George  J.  Tillotson,  George  L.  Walker,  Deacons  William  C. 
Crump,  John  N.  Stickney,  George  Langdon,  Philander  Button,  and 
Prof.  Cyrus  Northrop. 

The  same  persons  were  chosen  Trustees  of  the  Fund  for  Minis- 
ters ;  and  it  was  voted,  That  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Directors 
of  the  Connecticut  Home  Missionary  Society  be  held  at  the  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  in  Hartford,  at  two  o'clock,  Wednesday  afternoon,  Jan. 
11,  1871 ;  and  that  at  the  close  of  that  meeting  the  annual  meeting  of 
the  Trustees  of  the  Fund  for  Ministers  be  held  in  the  same  place. 

The  committee  in  relation  to  a  National  Conference  were  appointed 
as  follows — Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  Dea.  William  A.  Buckingham, 
Rev.  Davis  S.  Brainerd,  Rev.  Robert  G.  Vermilye,  Rev.  Edward  W. 
Gilman,  Ralph  D.  Smith,  Dea.  Calvin  Day.  Substitutes — Rev.  M. 
McG.  Dana,  Rev.  David  Murdoch,  Dea.  Benjamin  Douglas,  R.  S. 
Ferris. 

After  singing,  the  benediction  was  pronounced  by  Rev.  Leonard 
Bacon,  and  the  Conference  adjourned  until  nine  o'clock  of  the  next 
morning. 

TJiursday  Morning. — At  nine  o'clock,  there  was  a  prayer  meeting, 
conducted  by  Rev.  George  L.  Walker.  At  half  past  nine,  business 
was  resumed,  and  it  was  resolved,  That  the   Standing  Committee  be 


1870.       GENERAL  CONFERENCE  OF  CONNECTICUT.        11 

requested  to  make  arrangements  for  a  social  meeting  in  connection 
with  tlic  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Conference,  for  the  promotion  of 
mutual  acquaintance  during  the  session. 

Henry  C.  Robinson  opened  a  discussion  of  the  theme — "What 
Jesus  does  for  us  ;"  and  Rev.  Theodore  J.  Holmes,  of  the  theme — 
"  What  Jesus  expects  of  us." 

At  this  point,  the  Moderator  requested  the  Scribe  to  take  the 
chair,  uttered  a  few  pleasant  and  earnest  words  of  parting,  and 
retired  from  the  Conference  as  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

Resoh-ed.  That  the  thanks  of  this  Conference  be  returned  to  our 
Moderator,  Prof.  Cyrus  Northrop,  for  his  very  acceptable  services  in 
conducting  with  such  promptness  and  efficiency  the  deliberations  and 
the  business  of  this  body. 

The  Conference  was  then  addressed  by  Rev.  Albert  A.  Stur- 
ges,  of  the  Micronesian  mission  and  by  Rev.  Luther  H.  Gulick, 
District  Secretary  of  the  American  Board. 

At  eleven  o'clock,  the  Conference  united  with  the  churches  of  New 
London  in  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper,  at  which  Rev. 
Thomas  P.  Field  presided,  and  was  assi-ted  by  Rev.  Constans  L. 
Goodell  and  Rev.  Josiah  E.  Kittredge. 

At  the  close  of  this  service,  it  was  resolved,  That  we  tender  our 
acknowledgments  to  the  railway  companies  which  have  modi- 
fied their  rates  of  fare  for  our  advantage  ;  that  we  proffer  our  grati- 
tude to  the  local  committee  of  arrangements  ;  and  that  we  assure  the 
good  people  of  New  London  of  our  hearty  thanks  for  their  cordial 
and  graceful  hospitalities,  and  of  our  prayers  that  grace,  mercy,  and 
peace  from  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  may  abide  with  them 
forever.  Remarks  in  the  spirit  of  this  resolution  were  offered  by 
Dea.  Benjamin  W.  Tompkins,  and  a  response  was  made  by  Rev. 
Thomas  P.  Field. 

The  minutes  were  approved,  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Thomas 
P.  Field,  and  the  Conference  was  dissolved. 

CYRUS    NORTHROP,  Moderator. 

Myron  N.  Morris,  Scribe. 

Charles  Northend,        >    .    .  .     .  c    ., 
TT  ,,   r  y  Assistant  scribes. 

Henry  M.  Cleaveland, j 

The  foregoing  is  published  and  distributed  to  the  churches  by  di- 
rection of  the  Standing  Committee. 

William  H.  Moore,  Registrar. 
Berlin,  Nov.  15,  1870. 


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